Jeanette Gogan-Olivier

Size: Just Nautilus section: 1 inch. Including base: 1 ? in. Complete height with spear: 1 7/8 in. (approximately 3.8 mil)

Info: I have always been fascinated with the form of the Chambered Nautilus and it's perfection of form. So with the invertebrate VIP 6 Project I began with a sketch of a Nautilus warrior with a lance. Initially, had planned for it to have a propulsion system (a system of gas powered barnacles and a rear stabilizer) and a smallish shell at the end of a lance. But changed it slightly as I created the green to a Nautilus guard with a spear tipped with a larger shell. Base (seaweed, shell & coral) remained the same. With all the tentacles, there may have been casting problems so I back filled the lower layers for little or no undercuts. Then the last 5 "wild" tentacles and the spear section completed the final stage. These 6 items are inset into groves on the main body of the green, and can be removed and cast as a group on a sprue. These separate parts can be mixed or placed at different angles in re-assembly so two cast Nautilus Guards won't necessarily look alike.

It has been fun creating this figure and I have learned a lot about the creation process, putties used and from some great advice and recommendations from many of you in the sculpting group- Thank you!

Jeanette Gogan-Olivier (jeanettesminifigs)

Comments submitted on the original site:

Jason Moses writes...

This one's so realistic (like someone found two shells on the
beach and contrived a justification to attach them together) that
it's difficult to decide what to make of it. The sculpting can't
be flawed, but I think I'd want some of the more anthropomorphic
entries in my collection. As I said in reference to the slug
entry, the shell is so lacking in detail that it's going to be a
painting challenge I'm not sure I'D be up to. On the positive
side, see that bit about "realistic" in the first sentence.

Bob Lippman writes...

This is one that I'd love to paint! My only critique is that I
think the weapon should be pointing foreward to give the mini a
better sense of movement. Hard to do otherwise, as it has no
hair, drapery or legs. Those "wild" tentacles" are really
cool and I admire the way you got them to hold their shape and
uniform taper and still keep them smooth. Very hard to do, so
you earn some technical stars!

Xavier Plasencia writes...

Sea Shell warrior: Overall the miniature looks good.

I really like the shell spear he is holding. The surface of the
figure is very lumpy. I would suggest sanding the surface down some
with very fine grain sand paper, one advantage of using magic sculpt. The
tentacles do not work for me, however I can’t seem to place what I don’t
like about it.

Flynn "Bobcat" Leek writes...

Hmm.. I think I may see what Xavier is having trouble with.
Nautilus tentacles are usually held somewhat close to the body,
they aren't so 'squirmy'. The shell also tapers a bit too fast.
Nautilus shells have a *very* precise geometric shape. Have to
agree that some detail on the shell would be nice too. Some nice
growth lines would be good, maybe a tiny barnacle or three.
With the addition of some barnacles (making it look old) and some
shell jewelry or fetishes, this could very easily become an
excellent spellcaster or shaman.